How do I Choose the Best Swim Club?

Whether you are a novice swimmer or a conditioned aquatic athlete, a swim club — or swim team — can be quite rewarding. Swimming as a sport builds endurance and stamina while working virtually every muscle group of the body. When choosing a swim club, it is important to consider a number of factors such as location, days and times of practices, the condition of the swimming pool and the qualifications and experience of the coach.

Swim clubs usually meet several times a week and some meet as many as six days per week. Practices typically range from 90 minutes to two hours. If you are looking for a swim club that practices all year, you should inquire about an indoor swimming pool in areas where extreme weather is prevalent. To get the maximum benefit from the club, you want to find one in your area that consistently meets at a regular time to be sure that the time frame fits into your schedule and won't interfere with other activities or responsibilities.

The backbone of any swim club is the coach. The coach's role is to offer advice and instruction on technique, to assist you with toning and conditioning methods, to arrange competitions and to prepare you for meets. The coach should motivate you. While you are deciding, you might want to visit the swimming pool during an actual practice so you can get a feel for the energy of the team and the interaction between the coach and the swimmers.

The condition of the pool and its equipment also can make a difference when you are trying to choose the best swim club. Lane lines, the floating markers that run parallel to the length of the pool, not only prevent one swimmer from bumping into another but can help to reduce the rough water caused by the movement of other swimmers. If the line lines are old and falling apart, they won't do their job as effectively. Swimming then becomes more difficult.

The size of the pool matters, too. A standard Olympic sized swimming pool is 164 feet (50 m) in length. Beginning swimmers might find the distance too difficult or overwhelming. If the swimmer is very young or inexperienced, a club with a smaller pool might be a better fit to ensure a positive experience.

Finally, when choosing a swim club, inquire about dues and any other fees that you can expect to pay with membership. Other related expenses usually are minimal, such as the cost of a bathing cap, goggles and swimsuits. Most clubs also plan "land events" such as dinner outings, parties or movie nights to give swimmers an opportunity to socialize and bond with teammates.